Think Beyond The Label Jobs

Summary The incumbent serves as a medical technologist in the Transfusion Medicine section of a large hospital laboratory with responsibility for developing and maintaining the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) apheresis program Responsibilities Major Duties: Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) that in compliance will accrediting and regulatory agencies. Performs apheresis procedures, automated and manual, in accordance with guidelines established by medical center policy and accrediting agencies. Monitors and maintains records of all fluids, anticoagulates, and blood/blood products administered during an automated or manual pheresis procedure with complete medico-legal accountability, in accordance with medical center guidelines and standards of regulatory agencies. Assures collection/testing of blood samples, both pre- and post-procedure, as established by written guidelines and/or verbal orders, for apheresis procedure candidates. Performs direct patient care procedures and fluid/transfusion therapy in accordance with medical center policy based on safe practices mandated or recommended by regulatory agencies. Maintains apheresis equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations using strict quality control and maintenance programs. Consults with medical and/or administrative superiors when situations occur which are not covered by written guidelines and/or standards. Maintains proficiency in emergency care procedures as necessary and available, obtaining recertification as necessary. Performs quality control tests on equipment, prior to each procedure, as established by guidelines to assure maximum safety, efficiency and accuracy of the equipment used in the procedure. Performs therapeutic phlebotomy procedures. Maintains records of procedural and patient data during apheresis procedures to assure medico-legal accountability and patient safety. Collects data and assists supervisor to create quality assurance indicators presented at the P&LMS QA meeting. Documents results of all quality control procedures performed on equipment, as well as lot number and expiration dates of all reagents and/or fluids used in the procedure, and maintains those records as dictated by medical center policy and/or other regulatory agency policy. Donor and recipient samples will be positively identified, processed, and tested according to policies and standard operating procedures developed according to current regulatory standards. Records results of all compatibility testing performed without errors or omissions, which would require additional testing and/or technologist time to correct. Issues/distributes blood and blood components in accordance with written procedures without significant error. Displays an attitude of caring and courtesy toward all veterans and their families by treating them as valued customers, greeting them with a smile. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Considers age of the patient when performing diagnostic testing as it related to functional capacity/limitations, ability to understand and follow directions, provide objective self assessment of past medical condition and treatment appropriate to the overall treatment goals and plans. As assigned by the department to fulfill the mission of STVHCS and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Work Schedule: 0630-1500 Monday - Friday; Every Other Weekend on-call Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified individual Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Medical Technologist's must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education and/or Experience Combination (1) A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.) AND completion of a medical technology clinical practice program. Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, formerly CAHEA), or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). The professional curriculum may have consisted of a post-baccalaureate certificate program or be integrated into a four-year program of study that culminated in a baccalaureate degree. OR (2) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics, AND two years of post-certification clinical laboratory experience (e.g., blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, clinical microscopy, etc.) within the last ten years as a certified Medical Laboratory Technician by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC), American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). This experience must include performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory, OR (3) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of biological science (with one course in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry) and one course in mathematics, AND five years of clinical laboratory experience within the last ten years performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience which matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory. Certification: Candidates must have either (1) or (2) below: (1) Candidates must currently possess the appropriate certification as a MT, MLS, or CLS given by the ASCP-BOC, ASCP-BOR, or AMT. (2) For positions up to the full performance level, candidates must currently possess the categorical or specialist technologist level certification from the certification agencies listed above, such as, but not limited to, chemistry (C/SC), hematology (H/SH), microbiology (M/SM), molecular biology (MB/SMB) and blood bank (BB/SBB). Technologists with categorical or specialist certifications may only perform duties within the area of the laboratory specific to their categorical certification (e. g., an individual with a chemistry (C) certification can only perform duties in chemistry). Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational and/or experience requirements if the degree is found to be equivalent to degree programs recognized by the NAACLS or clinical laboratory experience as described in paragraph 2b(2) or (3) above. This finding may be based on either of the following: (1) A letter from a college or university with a baccalaureate program recognized by the NAACLS stating that the individual's foreign degree has been evaluated and been found to be equivalent to its bachelor of medical technology degree. (2) A letter from ASCP-BOC or AMT stating that the individual is eligible for the certification examination. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-11 Medical Technologist (Technical Specialist). The incumbent serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge. Examples include, but are not limited to, molecular/deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)/genetic testing, bone marrow examination, and flow cytometry. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing. Applies policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor and maintain the specialized testing. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner. Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the full performance level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled.OR,(b) Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related field. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must also demonstrate the following KSAs: a. Advanced knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medicolegal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. b. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing. c. Advanced knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired technologists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of the laboratory procedures. d. Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods in order to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. e. Advanced knowledge of a particular discipline or function with wide latitude for exercising sound independent judgment. Preferred Experience: ASCP or AMT Certification Minimum 5 years' Blood Bank or Donor Center Experience Minimum 3 years' experience with Therapeutic Apheresis and Therapeutic Phlebotomy procedures General Knowledge in performing Validations General Knowledge of ordering supplies and pharmaceuticals General Knowledge of managing patient appointments References: VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Appendix G24, Medical Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-644 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (.50); pulling hand over hand (up to 1/4 hour); pushing (.50); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking/standing (4 hours); repeated bending (.25); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/40 and 20/50 in other eye; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional and mental stability; fine motor control of hands. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. If your Education/Experience meets (1) as listed in the qualifications: Clinical practice programs completed after 1974 must have been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, formerly CAHEA), or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Additional Information VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.